Device for assisting steering



2 Au 31, 1937,. BARR 2,091,498

DEVICE FOR ASSISTING STEERING Original Filed April 22, 192.9 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 31, 1937. L, BARR I 2,091,498

DEVICE FOR ASSISTING STEERING Original Filed April 22, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Aug. 31, 1937 UNiTED STATES PATENT OFFICE Original application April 22, 1929, Serial No. 357,254. Divided and this application June 9,

1934, Serial No. 729,8

9 Claims.

This invention relates in general to lifting devices and more particularly has reference to an apparatus for lending facility to turning the wheels with which steering is effected when operating a vehicle in confined areas and for moving the elevated end of a vehicle when the wheels are raised.

Previous to this time, in operating a vehicle in confined areas, such as are often encountered when parking on busy thoroughfares, extreme difficulty is sometimes experienced in turning the wheels of} a car when momentarily stationary, while maneuvering for the desired position of the vehicle. Very often, moreover, the space is too confined for allowing the proper positioning of the vehicle by manipulation of the steering wheels.

This application is a division of my copending application Serial No. 357,254, filed April 22, 1929,

26 and allowed December 21, 1933.

In the same manner, it has often been a task taxing the energies of a driver to operate the steering mechanism while attempting to position the-vehicle so as to afford passage out into a -thoroughfare from between vehicles and other obstructions stationed in the front and rear of the space. Heretofore, there have been provided devices to aid in the turning of a vehicle wheel with which the steering is effected while in a 36 stationary position, but such apparatus is usually attended by certain disadvantages which this invention seeks to overcome.

In general, the prior devices have provided for lifting one wheel of a car from contact with the roadbed, but it is manifest that such expedients have not afforded as great an ease of steering as is desirable under such conditions, and such apparatus has not been adapted for automatic looking to prevent inadvertent collapse of the elevated end of the vehicle.

Furthermore, these devices often have had a tendency to slip along a pavement without taking a positive hold. Also, further movement of a vehicle elevated on a support has been impossible while so positioned, thus no advantage being obtained in spaces too confined for maneuvering the car by operation of the steering wheels.

An object of this invention isto provide an apparatus for relieving the weight of a vehicle upon the wheels with which the steering is effected which tends to move to a vertical position previous to operation.

Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for simultaneously elevating the wheels by which steering of a vehicle is effected which may be locked in position when the vehicle is raised.

A further object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for relieving the weight on the wheels of a vehicle by which the steering is effected which may be attached to the frame of a conventional car without any modifications in the structure thereof.

A'still further object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for relieving the weight of a vehicle upon the wheels with which the steering of the same is effected, having provision for the movement of the end of the vehicle when the steering wheels are raised.

With these and other objects in view whichmay be incident to my improvements, the invention consists in the parts and combinations to be hereinafter set forth and claimed, with the understanding that the several necessary elements comprising-my invention may be varied in construction, proportions and arrangement, without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

In order to make my invention more clearly understood, I have shown in the accompanying drawings means for carrying the same into practical effect, without limiting the improvements in their useful applications to the particular constructions, which for the purpose of explanation have been made the subject of illustration.

In the drawings forming a part of the specification:

Figure 1 is a front elevational View showing a support for elevating the steering wheels of a vehicle mounted on the under side of the front axle thereof.

Figure 2 is a sectional view showing the manner of positioning another form of support.

Figure 3 is a front elevational view of a modifled form of support.

Figure 4 is a side elevational view showing the support mounted on the end of a vehicle frame.

Figure 5 is a front elevational view of a support having a spring attachment tending to move the same to a vertical position when lowcred.

Figures 6 through 12 are perspective views of modified forms of supports.

Figure 13 is a sectional View taken on line lit-l3 of Fi ure 10.

Figure 14 shows another form of the base contact portion applicable to the support shown in Figure 5. I

Figure 15 is a perspective view of another modified form of the base contact portion, made integral with the bottom of the support.

Figure 16 is a front view of one of the legs of the support shown in Figure shown with a 5 modified form of spring attachment.

Figure 17 is a side View taken on line II-I'I of Figure 16.

Figure 18 is a front elevational view of a modified form of support of the character shown in Figure 2 having rollers mounted on the bottom.

Figure 19 is a side view taken on line l9--I9 of Figure 18.

Figure 20 is a front elevational view of another form of support having a plurality of pairs of rollers mounted on the bottom thereof.

Figure 21 is a side view taken on line 2I.2I of Figure 20.

Figure 22 is a front elevational view showing a modified form of mounting the support at a point in a vertical plane with the longitudinal axis of the vehicle for freedom of movement with respect to the axle of a vehicle.

Figure 23 is a sectional view taken on line 23-23 of Figure 22. 7

Referring more particularly. by numerals to the drawings, in which the same and similar elements are designated by like symbols. of reference throughout, and more particularly to Figure 1, there is shown the front axle I of a vehicle bifurcated at each end as at 2 and 3. Stub axles 4 are mounted between the furcations and held by kingpins 5. Stub shafts (not shown) project from the stub axles 4, upon which are positioned wheels having tires 6 mounted thereon, the wheels being held in the conventional manner on the axle, and the mounting protected by hub caps I fitted on the shaft. The axle I is formed with top and bottom flanges 8 and 9. The support for elevating the steering wheels is mounted on the underside of the axle and extends over on each side of a point in the plane with the longitudinal axis of a vehicle. The support is subject to a number of modifications, as

will be noted in the several figures of the drawings and with reference to my copending application Serial No. 350,685, filed March 28, 1929, issued as Patent No. 1,967,219 on July 24, 1934, of which the present application is a continuation in part.

According to the preferred embodiment, a support of the character shown in Figure 18 is employed. This form of support comprises a base portion having a plurality of sides II and I2,

with rollers I3 and I4 mounted therebetween,

and held by axles I6 and I! respectively, extending through the sides of the base portion. A pair of blocks I9 and 20 having threaded apertures are fixedly mounted between the ends of the base portions II and I2, adapted to receive reduced threaded extensions 2| and 22 formed on upright arms 23 and 24. The arms 23 and 24 are turned over at the ends so as to provide horizontal journals 25 and 26.

The horizontal journals 25 and 26 are provided with collars 21 andZB-adjacent the upright arms adapted to fit against bearings 29 and 3| mounted on the underside of the axle I. and heldby a plurality of clamps 32 as shown in Figure 1. The

.horizontal arms 25 and 26 are adaptedt'o extend through the bearings 29 and 3| respectively, and fixed therein by collars 33 and 34 mounted on the ends, the samebeingsecured by set screws 35,

plane with the longitudinal center of gravity of a vehicle and is of such a length that when it is vertically positioned the weight of the vehicle on the tires 6 will be relieved. It is preferable that the support be constructed of sufficient length to elevate the tires entirely from the roadbed when the same is placed upright. The journals 25 and 26 of the support are free to move in the bearings 29 and 3| so that the support may be readily lowered or raised. The clamps 32 holding the bearings on the under side of the axle I extend through plates 3'! resting on the top of the axle and are held by nuts 38.

As the support is free to swing, it will be apparent that when it is lowered it will rest on the surface supporting the vehicle, but extending below the'perip-hery of the tires; thus it will not normally fall in a vertical position. To raise the end of the vehicle upon which the support is mounted, it is intended that the vehicle be driven backward if the support is positioned in the rear of the axle, whereupon the rollers I3 and I4 will engage the surface upon which the same rest transverse to the line of travel, and the front wheels may be lifted from the ground by the driving force exerted by the rear wheels, under the control of the driver.

When the support is in an upright position, the weight of the vehicle on the elevated tires is relieved and the vehicle may be held stationary in this position by application of the brakes on the back wheels until the steering wheels are turned to the desired angle. The brakes may then be released and the car driven off the support. If the support is positioned in the front of the axle, the steering wheels may be raised by the reverse operation, that is by driving the vehicle forward. In a like manner, if it is desired to discontinue using the support when it is resting in front of the axle, the car may be driven over the same so that the support is placed in the rear of the axle, where it then may be raised to inoperative position.

In maneuvering for the desired position of a vehicle, it is of course apparent that the operation of bringing the end of the vehicle up on the support, to allow free turning of the steering wheels may be repeated any number of times until the vehicle is either driven in or out of a confined area, of the character of a parking space.

The foregoing operation is the same as is employed in using the device disclosed in my copending application, reference to which has already been given. According to the present invention, the rollers I3 and I4 mounted on the bottom of a support are intended to allow movement of the vehicle in the direction at substantially right angles to the normal line of travel, if the vehicle cannot be properly positioned by manipulation of the steering wheels.

When the support is in an upright position, relieving the weight of the vehicle on the steering wheels and in the present instance elevating the same from the roadbed, the end of the car supported on the rollers may be pushed in the desired direction, a point between the rear wheels acting as a pivot. In this manner both the front and rear wheels may easily be parked adjacent a curb.

On the outer face of each of the blocks I9 and 20, mounted between the sides of the base portion of the support, are fastened strips 39 and 4| extendingdownwardly to a point in a plane with the periphery of the rollers I3 and I4 and in the line of travel thereof. Similar strips 42 and 43 are secured on bars 44 mounted transversely between the sides II and I2 forming the base portion of the support, between the rollers l3 and 4. These strips are intended to divert movable ob- 5 structions from the course of the rollers and may be made of any suitable material of sufficient strength to turn stones or other movable irregularities in the road surface. Also, these strips may be made of a suitable spring metal extending slightly below a point in the plane with the periphery of the rollers to grip the road surface when it is desired to raise the end of the vehicle on the support, and prevent slipping of the rollers preparatory to elevating the end of the vehicle. The position of the support, according to the preferred embodiment of this invention, may be controlled by the operator while driving the vehicle, as shown in Figure 2. One end of a connecting rod 45 is pivoted to the arm 24 on a pin 46 integrally constructed thereon or attached in a suitable manner, and the other end of the rod hinged on a lever 41 through a pin 48. The lever 41 is pivoted on a bracket 49 mounted on the under side of the frame of the vehicle, the 25 lever extending into the driving compartment for operation by the person manipulating the steering wheel of the vehicle.

When the lever is drawn backward, the support is lowered, or when moved forward the same raised to a horizontal position. The bracket is formed with a plurality of notches 50 for engagement with a spring operated pin 5|, movement of which is controlled by the operator of the vehicle through a rod (not shown), encased in the lever. Thus, if the support is raised to a horizontal position, it may be fixed in place by engagement of the pin 5| in the rear notch 50,

and not interfere with the road clearance of the 1 vehicle. A leaf spring 52 is mounted on the axle adapted to be engaged by the support when the same is raised to a horizontal position. The support when held against the spring has. no tendency to rattle or to become loosened by constant movement. The spring 52 is connected to a strap 53 extending around the axle and held by a rivet 54.

When it is desired to make use of the support, the catch is released by the operator so that it is free to swing and allowed to come in contact with the road surface. After the vehicle has been driven on the support in the manner already described, it will automatically be locked in the vertical position by the pin 5| coming to engagement with the forward notch 50 in the bracket.

If a fixed position of the support is not desired, however, the pin 5| may be held down by the operator or locked out of contact with the notch in any suitable manner.

When the support is locked in a vertical po- 'sition, the elevated end of the vehicle may be moved on the rollers by pushing the vehicle, or if there is sufficient curve in the crown of the roadway, the vehicle may move to the side by the force of gravity. Movement of the elevated 5 end of the vehicle may be regulated by controlling the brakes on the rear wheels; that is, if the rear wheels are locked, the elevated end of the vehicle will not move except if pushed, but if free the end of the vehicle may be allowed to 70 swing through an arc, the vehicle pivoting on a point between the center of the rear wheels, which will revolve in opposite directions.

It has been found advisable, under certain conditions, to connect the support with a spring attached to the vehicle, tending to move the support to a vertical position and prevent slipping of the support on the road surface when it is lowered for elevating the end of the vehicle. In Figures 1, 5, l6 and 1'7 are illustrated several forms of springs suitable for attachment to the support. I

In Figure 1, one end of a helical spring 55 is mounted on the axle I of the vehicle at the center thereof and held by a clamp 56, the other end being seated in a socket 51 formed in the center i of the top of the base portion of the support. This spring tends to move the support to a vertical position when it is placed either to the rear or front of the axle, and tends to a more positive gripping of the base portion with the road surface.

In Figure 5, a round spring 58 is mounted on the underside of the axle at the center thereof and held by clamp 59. The ends of the spring 58 are passed through eyelets 6| and 52 formed or suitably attached on. the arms 23 and 24 of the support. This type of spring also acts to center the support in a vertical position irrespective of which side of the axle it is placed on.

In Figure 16 is shown a helical spring 53 mounted over the journal 25 of the support and with one end seated in the bearing 29. The other end of the spring is extended downwardly adjacent the arm 23 of the support, and connected therewith by a collar 54 having a channel formed at the side thereof adapted to receive the end of the spring. This spring likewise works to move the support to a vertical position. It will be appreciated that a similar spring may be mounted on the other journal of the support if so desired.

In bringing the end of the vehicle up on the support, a twisting effect is. sometimes encoun tered which may strain a rigid connection between the support and the vehicle. In Figures 2 2 and 23 is depicted a mode of attachment designed to prevent damage to the support by such twisting movements, which at most are comparatively slight. In this construction the arms 23 and 24 of the support are integrally constructed with a bar adapted to lie parallel with and on the under side of the axle. The bar is held in the center by a clamp 66 suitably held on the axle at a point in a plane with the longitudinal center of gravity of the vehicle, and having provision for lateral movement of the support. The ends of the bar 65 adjacent thearms are held against blocks 61 and 68 clamped on the axle by brackets 69 and 1| screwed thereto, allowing lateral movement of the ends of the bar. It is ob vious that the form shown in Figures 22 and 23 is provided with rollers as in the analogous forms shown in Figures 18, 19, 20 and 21.

The support is of course subject to a number of modifications, as is noted in Figures 1, 3 and 5 to 12 inclusive. In Figure l is. shown a support having the arms 23 and 24 bent inwardly from the ends of the base portion to lend a slight re" siliency to the support, and a strap 12 mounted on the arm 24 for attachment with the operating lever 46 through the connecting arm 45.

In Figure 3 the support is shown with the base portion bent upwardly in the center to provide a pair of contact legs 13 and 74 adapted to rest on each side of a point in a plane with the longitudinal center of gravity of a vehicle when the support is positioned upright. This construction also allows for a small degree of flexibilityby reason of the curvature of the base portion.

In a type of support depicted in Figure 6, the

arms 23 and 24 are joined by connecting rods I5 and I6, and turned over at the bottom to form axles TI and 18 for receiving the rollers I3 and I4. In this construction the rollers may be dis- 5 pensed with and the bottom of the arms allowed to serve as feet.

In Figure 7, the support is shown as constructed of an integral plate of metal I8 turned over at the bottom and the edge serrated as at I9 to 10 lend a more positive gripping effect to the base portion. One side of the support is provided with a projection 8| for attachment of the connecting arm 45 to the operating lever. The top of the support is turned over about a bar 82 extending out on each side of the support for seating in the bearings 29 and 3|. This support is intended to insure a rigid structure. The collars 21 and 28 are dispensed with, the sides of the support acting to retain the bar 82 in proper position in the bearings in this construction.

The support shown in Figure 8 includes the bar 82 having the collars 2! and 28 mounted thereon and a curved supporting arm 83 formed with a horizontal base contact portion 84 welded to the bar. This support is adapted to afford a resiliency of structure, both as regards vertical forces and for movement around a vertical axis caused by twisting, which sometimes occurs in the use of the support. The support shown in '30 Figure 9 is similar to that shown in Figure 5, with the exception of the arms 23 and 24, which are bent over as at 85 and 86 to provide a flexible support of the character shown in Figure 8.

The support shown in Figure 10 is similar to that depicted in Figure '7, except the base portion is bent over to form a shoe SI, better shown in Figure 13. This shoe presents a curved base contact portion upon which may be mounted a flexible bottom plate 88 made of rubber or other 4,0 suitable material having vacuum cups 89 formed thereon to afford a more positive gripping of the road surface than would otherwise be obtained.

In Figure 11 is shown a support similar to that depicted in Figure 5 having the ends of the arms bent over at the bottom at right angles and likewise the ends of the base portion, to form bottom supports 9I adapted to afford extended longitudinal contact surfaces as well as extended transverse contact portion residing in the various forms of supports already described.

In Figure 12 is shown a type of support having a plurality of pairs of integrally constructed arms 92 and 93 bent around the bar 82 to form collars 94, and spread at the bottom and connected by integral cross pieces 95, adapted to serve the same purpose as the base SI of the support shown in Figure 11. The pairs of arms are joined by connecting rods 96 bent around each of the arms as at 91.

0 In Figure 14 is shown a support similar to the support shown in Figure 5, having a section of rubber tubing 98 mounted on the base contact portion to afford a more secure engagement with the road surface than could be obtained by a 5 metallic member. This tube may be either fixedly mounted on the base portion or loosely placed for rotation, to prevent wear of a single area thereof. Another form of base contact portion is shown in Figure 15, in which the bottom 7 is hollowed out as .at 99 so as to provide a plurality of transverse contact surfaces IOI and I02. Also, in this construction the base may be somewhat flattened out so. as to increase the distance between the contact'surfaces.

7 In Figures 20 and 21. there is also shown a type of support similar to that shown in Figure 5,

havinga pair of carriages Inland I94 either pivoted or fixedly mounted on the base contact portion. A plurality of rollers I05 are mounted on the carriages-through axle. I06, adapted to afford a support similar to that shown in Figure 18. The'carriages are also provided with strips ID! to divert obstructions from the path of the rollers in the same manner as the strips shown on each side of the rollers in Figure 18. If so desired, the rollers I95 may be dispensed with and the carriages allowed to act as shoes for gripping the pavement over an extended two dimensional area. Also, castersor balls may be mounted on the support in a suitable manner in place of the rollers shown.v l

This invention is of course not restricted to the mounting of the support on the under side of the front axle, but it may be attached to any other convenient part of the vehicle, as for example on the frame shown in Figure 4. In this construction there is shown a support I98 similar to the support shown in Figure 8 mounted on the front of the frame and held by bolt I99.

In installing the device forming'the subject matter of this invention on a vehicle, it is ap parent that any one of the several types of supports which have been illustrated, or other modified forms, may be employed, and the same fixed to the under side of the front axle ofa vehicle in any convenient manner, or to any other part of the vehicle upon which it is found desirable to attach the same. The invention is likewise not limited to any particular operating mechanism for lowering or raising the same, as the form described is of course subject to modification, and

any arrangement capable of raising and lowering the support is satisfactory for the purpose-ofpracticing the invention.

In using the support, if the free turning of the steering wheels is desired, or if it is wished to move one end of the vehicle in an area too confined for manipulation of the, steering wheel, the support may be lowered to contact with the roadway upon which the vehicle is resting, whereupon by movement of the car in either direction, according to whether the support is positioned in the front orrear of the mounting, the end of the car may be elevated and the Wheels freely turned. v 1 i- If rollers are employed on the bottom of the support, the support may be locked in the vertical positionand the end of the car either pushed inthedesired direction, or if there is sufficient slope in the crown of the road, the vehicle may be allowed to roll, the side movement of the vehicle beingcontrolled by application; of the brakes on the rear wheels. When further use of the device;

is no longer desired, the support may be raised and locked into position above the road clearance of the vehicle.

There is accomplished by this invention a device for simultaneously relieving the. weight on the steering wheels of a vehicle or elevating;

precise details of construction herein set forth, by way of illustration, as it is apparent that many changes and variations may be made therein, by those skilled in the art, without departing 5 from the spirit of the invention, or exceeding the scope of the appended claims.

I claim: 1. A device for elevating a vehicle comprising an axle, a support having a curved supporting 10 arm to add flexibility thereto for absorbing twisting and lateral strains formed with a horizontal base contact portion attached to said axle for elevating one end of the vehicle, said support being adapted to swing on both sides of the longitudinal axis of the axle for engaging the ground by forward and backward movement of the vehicle.

2. A device for elevating a vehicle comprising an axle, a support having bent over sections ly- 20 ing adjacent each other throughout its length,

providing flexibility, attached to said axle for elevating one end of the vehicle, said support being adapted to swing on both sides of the longitudinal axis of the axle for engaging the ground 25 by forward and backward movement of the vehiele.

3. A device for elevating Vehicles, comprising a compression element pivoted on the vehicle,

said compression element having a ground con- 3 tact element and convoluted compression arms whereby flexion of the compression element under strains is facilitated.

4. A device for elevating vehicles, comprising a compression element pivoted on the vehicle, 35 said compression element having a ground contact element and convoluted compression arms whereby fiexion of the compression element under strains is facilitated, the compression element being so pivoted as to permit it to swing on both 4.0 sides of the vertical for elevating the vehicle by either forward or backward movement of the vehicle.

5. A device for elevating a vehicle comprising a compression element formed of a single convoluted metallic member whereby flexion of the element under stress is facilitated, the end of said compression element being adapted to form a ground engaging member, and means to pivot the compression element on a vehicle.

6. A device for elevating a vehicle comprising a compression element formed of a single convoluted metallic member, the end of said compression element being adapted to form a ground engaging member, means to pivot the compression element to the vehicle, said pivoting means permitting the element to swing on both sides of the vertical to elevate the vehicle by either forward or backward movement of the vehicle.

7. A device for elevating a vehicle comprising a compression element formed of a single convoluted metallic member whereby fiexion of the element under stress is facilitated, means for pivoting the element to the vehicle permitting the vehicle to be driven thereon by either forward or backward movement of the vehicle, the end of said compression element beingadapted to form a ground engaging member.

8. A device for elevating vehicles comprising a compression element pivoted on the Vehicle and upon which the vehicle is adapted to be driven by either forward or backward movement thereof, said compression element having a ground contact element, and convoluted compression arms whereby fiexion of the compression element under stress is facilitated.

9. A device for elevating a vehicle comprising an axle, a support having bent-over sections lying adjacent each other throughout its length providing flexibility and attached to said axle for elevating one end of the vehicle by driving the vehicle up on the support.

JOHN L. BARR. 

